Self-healing materials which can induce tremendous savings of resources and energy due to their capacity to repair themselves and therefore extend their lifetime. In our laboratory, we prepare hydrophobic polymers with self-healing properties. Recent results have yielded materials which can heal at room temperature and can be processed in water-based conditions.

We synthesize polymerizable derivatives of corrosion inhibitors which contain cleavable bonds, which are subsequently polymerized to form coatings. The coatings can then release the inhibitors in response to corrosion, which then reduces the corrosion rate of metals. We also combine anticorrosion with self-healing properties to further enhance the durability of coatings, as well as investigate biobased materials to form these smart coatings.

We develop new methods for producing ultrasmall nanoparticles and nanocapsules. We then investigate their properties for cancer therapy with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany), or as antibacterial agents or for the controlled delivery of hormones in plants.